Cellular weather station and computer system using the public cellular data telephone system and internet for controlling irrigation and method of use

ABSTRACT

A system and method for accessing and displaying weather information are shown. A weather station ( 102 ) collects weather information data from sensors ( 108 - 114 ) using a collection program and assembles the data as a data string in a memory. A station access system ( 140 ) is used to call the weather station through the Internet ( 150 ) and a wireless cellular digital packet data system ( 154 ). The weather station downloads the weather data string to a data base ( 164 ). A user contacts the access computer through the Internet using his personal computer ( 170 ) to ask for the weather information. The information is compiled from the data base and transmitted to the user&#39;s display ( 172 ) over the Internet. A user such as a farmer can also supply the system with his particular field and crop conditions and the system will apply the conditions to the weather information and return customized crop production and control information to the farmer over the Internet.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a Continuation In Part of application Ser.No. 09/498,314, filed Feb. 6, 2000, which is included herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field oftransmitting information over the Internet, and more particularly to amethod and system for providing weather information over the Internetusing data supplied through the Internet and a wireless cellular digitalpacket data service.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] Weather information has long been compiled from data from weatherstations around the world. These weather stations are often located atmajor airports and universities where the equipment can be monitored.The raw data is brought together over telephone lines to a centrallocation where it is processed into useful information. Maps aretypically created summarizing the information for continents, nations,states, and portions of states. This general weather information is ofuse to most people who are planning their days and weather influencedcompanies such as airlines, shipping lines, and trucking companies whichare planning their departures and routes over vast distances. Generalweather information is also of interest to farmers who operate in flatareas including the plains and prairies where they grow commodity cropssuch as wheat, corn, soybeans, and forage crops that are only minimallyinfluence by the weather on any given day.

[0004] Farmers who operate in hilly regions, grow specialized crops,and/or depend upon irrigation can also use the macroclimate weatherinformation to plan their general activities. But they can significantlyimprove their results if they have more specific weather informationregarding their particular fields or microclimates. One well known useof specialized weather information is the reporting of freezingconditions which is used to determine the use of wind machines andsmudge pots in citrus groves where a one degree difference can ruin acrop. Running the machines and pots every cold night would be toocostly. Another situation where specialized weather information isuseful is regarding crops that are entirely dependent upon irrigation.Too little irrigation over too long a period can destroy a crop or limitproduction. More than just enough irrigation to achieve the resultsdesired is wasteful and expensive. Knowledge of exact weather conditionsin the fields can help optimize the use of irrigation. In othersituations, politicians have mandated that less water be used toirrigate crops. For example, in Ventura County, Calif., an ordinance waspassed requiring a 20% decrease in water use by agricultural interestsin certain water districts. The decreased amount of water is sufficientto grow the desired crops but it has to be husbanded carefully.

[0005]FIG. 1 is a map of an area in the San Joaquin Valley of centralCalifornia between Bakersfield and Fresno having a multiplicity ofmicroclimates and need for irrigation. Precise monitoring of thesemicroclimates requires the placement of weather stations in themicroclimates and transmission of data to a central location forprocessing into useful information. The bottom of the valley is flat andhas an elevation ranging from 300 to 400 feet. To the west are the CoastRanges which average 2000 to 3000 feet in height and to the east are theSierra Nevada Mountains which average 8000 to 9000 in height. Theseelevation changes cause dramatic differences in microclimates dependingupon exact location. Weather stations for monitoring some of theseclimates have been placed at Ivanhoe, Exeter, Lindsay, Strathmore, TerraBella, Avenue 2, Blackwell's Corner, Rio Bravo, Arvin, Wheeler Ridge,and Maricopa. The locations of the weather stations are determined bywhere they are economically justified. Because the bottom of the valleyis flat, weather conditions are substantially uniform allowing only twostations at Blackwell's Corner and Wheeler Ridge to suffice. Also, thebottom of the valley is planted in cotton and forage crops which do notrequire precise weather information. The weather information istherefore used primarily for the optimization of irrigation. Along theeast side of the valley, the weather is chopped up into microclimatesdue to the variable terrain of the foothills of the Sierra NevadaMountains. A variety of crops are also planted including grapes andfruit, nut, and citrus trees which have different temperature andirrigation requirements. The citrus trees are particularly susceptibleto freezing with the possibility of an entire crop being destroyed inone night of cold temperatures. Several weather stations are thereforelocated along the foothills.

[0006] Each weather station indicated on FIG. 1 has a telephone lineconnected to the local telephone company. The requirement for atelephone line makes installation of a weather station expensive, limitsa location to one near a telephone line, makes movement of a weatherstation difficult, and is expensive because each telephone call to astation is a long distance call. Because of the expense of calling, eachstation is typically called only three times a week. A computer in eachstation continuously records the weather information at the station.When the station is subsequently called, all data developed during theperiod after the previous call is downloaded in a few seconds. Whilethis frequency of calling may be adequate for irrigation purposes, it ismuch less than is desirable for freeze warning purposes. During periodswhen freezes may be possible, the stations need to be called frequently.Additional stations would also be helpful because freezing conditionsoften tend to be highly localized. However, the number of stations mustbe limited because of the cost.

[0007]FIG. 2 shows a prior art hard wired weather information system 50for reporting on microclimates. The system includes at least one weatherstation 30. A telephone line 32 runs either underground or on poles toan I/O (input/output) board inside a rainproof enclosure 34. Attached tothe I/O board are a number of weather sensors including a wind directionindicator 36, wind speed anemometer 38, solar radiation sensor 40, sunshielded temperature sensor 41, tilting bucket rain gauge 42, andhumidity sensor 44. A computer inside the enclosure processes the datafrom the input sensors into data that is stored in a data logger untilthe station is called and a download signal is given. Power is providedto the weather station from the local power grid through a wire 46.

[0008] An access computer 52 is programmed to request a dial tone, diala telephone number, identify an answer by the weather station 30, andcreate a carrier detect signal that is sent over the telephone line 32to the weather station 30. In response to the carrier detect signal, thecomputer in the weather station accesses its memory and downloads thedata over the telephone line to the data storage section 54 of theaccess computer 52. After retrieving the data from one weather station,the access computer 52 continues down its list of other weather stationssuch as the ones in FIG. 1 collecting data from them one at a time inthe same manner.

[0009] A system user can use his personal computer 60 to query theaccess computer 52 through a computer network 62 such as the Internetfor any desired information. For example, he could ask for the mostrecent information from a particular weather station, a list ofinformation for the past week, a list of information for the same weekin the previous year, or any other form of useful information. Theinformation is then presented on a display screen 64.

[0010]FIG. 3 is a sample of the daily weather information provided bythe central computer from the weather station in Arvin as it would bedisplayed on the display screen 64 of the user's computer 60 includingmaximum, minimum, and average temperature in Fahrenheit degrees; averagewind speed and wind gusts in miles per hour; wind direction in degreeswith north at 0°; solar radiation in langleys (watts per squarecentimeter); average humidity in percent; and rain in inches.

[0011] The second column labeled ET is for the evapotranspiration ratein inches of water per day at the station. Evapotranspiration is theloss of water from the soil both by evaporation from the surface and bytranspiration from plants growing on the soil. The plant used to computestandard ET is grass two inches tall. For example, on Aug. 3, 1999,grass two inches tall required 0.28 inches of water to maintain normalgrowth because of the temperature, humidity, and solar radiation at thatexact location on that day. Each crop has a different water requirementfor normal growth defined as a crop constant which is stated as apercentage of the standard ET. Empirical studies have determined thefollowing crop constants: almonds 100%, grapefruit 75%, grapes 85%, andoranges 67%. For example, if grass requires 0.30 inches of water on aday, oranges will require 67%×0.30=0.20 inches of water on the same day.This moisture can come either from irrigation or rain. If rain hasoccurred in the past twenty-four hours, the amount of rain is determinedby the rain gauge 42 and the farmer subtracts it from the totalrequired. For example, if 0.20 inches of water are required and 0.02inches of effective rain have fallen in the past twenty-four hours, thefarmer would irrigate his crop with 0.18 inches of water that day. Theaccess computer 52 computes the ET values shown in FIG. 3 from the otherweather data using a proprietary algorithm.

[0012] While current hard wired systems are able to provide a farmerwith information on microclimates which he can use to control irrigationand control other production functions, communication between the accesscomputer and the weather stations is expensive. Therefore, the farmer isless likely to install new stations or receive weather data as often ashe would like, especially for frost protection purposes. Furthermore,the farmer usually either develops or buys software programs or usesmanual calculations to apply weather station data to his specificirrigation and crop field configurations. This requires data processingor calculation expertise which he may not have. Consequently, a needexist for improvements in methods and systems for providing informationfrom microclimate weather stations.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0013] The present invention is directed to a system and method foraccessing and displaying weather information. A weather station collectsweather information data from sensors using a collection program andassembles the data as a data string in its memory or separate datalogger. An access computer system periodically calls the weather stationthrough the Internet and a wireless cellular digital packet data system.The weather station transmits the weather data string to a data base. Auser contacts the data base through the Internet using the user'spersonal computer to ask for the weather information. The information iscompiled from the data base and transmitted to the user's display overthe Internet.

[0014] In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention,the user causes an access computer function to call the weather stationat intervals between the normal periodic calls made by the accesscomputer system by transmitting this request through the Internet fromthe user's personal computer.

[0015] In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention,the user sends the user's crop and field configurations to the data basethrough the Internet. The server system combines the crop and fieldconfigurations with the weather information and returns customized cropproduction and control information through the Internet to the user.

[0016] In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention,a wireless digital cellular hand held computer having a display is usedand the information is displayed on the display.

[0017] In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention,the access computer has a computer generated voice. The user dials theaccess computer with a standard telephone. The keys of the telephone areused to enter codes into the access computer to request specific weatherinformation and the access computer replies by way of the computergenerated voice over the telephone.

[0018] In accordance with an important feature of the invention, theuser enters a request for notification of a desired condition into theaccess computer. The access computer sends a page to a pager when thepreexisting condition is reached which notifies the user of thecondition such as a freezing temperature.

[0019] Other features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way ofexample, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020]FIG. 1 is a map of an area in the San Joaquin Valley of centralCalifornia having many microclimates;

[0021]FIG. 2 shows a prior art hard wired weather information system forreporting on microclimates;

[0022]FIG. 3 is a sample display of the daily weather informationprovided by the access computer from a weather station;

[0023]FIG. 4 illustrates a system for providing weather information overthe Internet using data supplied through the Internet and a wirelesscellular digital packet data service;

[0024]FIG. 5 illustrates a weather station having a wireless cellulardigital packet data service connection;

[0025]FIG. 6 shows two weather stations installed on a single farm;

[0026]FIG. 7 is a sample display of a particular farmer's crop and fieldconfigurations as sent to the weather information system;

[0027]FIG. 8 is a sample display of customized crop production andcontrol information provided in return by the weather information systemto the farmer for use in controlling his specific crops; and,

[0028]FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating the steps in a method of usinga cellular weather station and computer system using the public cellulardata telephone system and Internet for controlling irrigation;

[0029]FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating the steps in another methodfor obtaining weather data from the cellular weather station;

[0030]FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating the steps in yet anothermethod for obtaining weather data from the cellular weather station;

[0031]FIG. 12 is an algorithm used in the system and method;

[0032]FIG. 13 is similar to FIG. 5 showing a weather station having anequipment reporting capability;

[0033]FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 4 showing a system for providingequipment information as well as weather information over the Internet;

[0034]FIG. 15 is similar to FIG. 8 showing equipment variables;

[0035]FIG. 16 is a flow chart that shows the flow of data through theInternet system and other communication links of FIG. 14; and,

[0036]FIG. 17 is a flow chart that shows how the user selects hisdesired data format configuration using the system of FIG. 14.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0037] Referring initially to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a system forproviding weather information over the Internet using data suppliedthrough the Internet and a common carrier wireless cellular data servicesuch the wireless cellular digital packet data service provided byGeneral Telephone in accordance with the present invention, generallydesignated as 100.

[0038]FIG. 5 shows a weather station 102 configured to operate withinthe weather information system 100. The weather station 102 is similarto the prior art weather station 30 of FIG. 2 to which are added a solarpanel 103, a battery 104, a data to radio frequency conversion systemsuch as cellular digital packet modem 105, and a cellular telephoneantenna 107. These additions make the weather station 102 entirelyportable. Since weather information is most valuable if it is at theexact location of interest, a farmer can move the station 102 as neededto provide optimal benefit. For example, one year a field may be leftfallow and the farmer will move the station to a field that is in use.Or a field may have a crop in a portion of a growing cycle requiringimmediate information such as freezing conditions in a citrus grove. Thefarmer can then move a station into the grove. After the citrus crop isharvested, the farmer can move the station to another crop which is ofmore interest.

[0039] Data from a wind direction indicator 108, wind speed anemometer109, solar radiation sensor 110, shielded temperature sensor 111,tilting bucket rain gauge 112, and humidity sensor 114 are compiled andrecorded as weather data strings in the memory of a micro processorcomputer 116 or separate data logger inside a rainproof enclosure 115 ofthe weather station 102 using a collection program. Other sensors may beadded to monitor the specific conditions in the particular field and/oradjacent fields. For example, soil moisture sensors of the gypsum typecan measure soil moisture at various root depths, a series of flowmeters can be added to the irrigation pipes to measure the timing andquantity of water delivered to the crops, leaf wetness sensors canmeasure the moisture on leaves, chemical sensors can measure fertilizerlevels, and pH meters can measure pH levels in the soil. Theseadditional sensors can supply the weather station 102 with data forentry into the memory either through hard wires or short range radios.One advantage of radios is that they allow the sensors to be readilymoved about as conditions change during the growing season.

[0040]FIG. 6 illustrates weather stations 102 installed on a single farm120 located in the foothills with a ridge 122 to the north havingelevations greater than 1000 feet and another ridge 124 to the southeastalso with elevations greater than 1000 feet. The bottom 125 of the rivervalley through the farm ranges from 600 to 700 feet. A first weatherstation 126 is located at 600 feet in the center of the farm. Anotherweather station 128 is located at 700 feet adjacent the southeast ridge124. The purchase and positioning of weather stations is entirelydependent upon economics. Generally, the less expensive the stationsbecome, the more stations the farmer will decide to purchase or haveinstalled. In the present situation, the farmer has determined that asecond weather station is warranted even though the first weatherstation is located within 6000 feet of the first station. The reason isthat the microclimate surrounding the second station is sufficientlydifferent from the climate around the first station that the informationprovided by the first station has only limited value in the area of thesecond station. Whether or not a second station is actually installed isdetermined by the added value of the crops produced in the second areaas a result of the information provided by the second weather station.Generally, the data from the first station is sufficient for most of thefarm. The second station provides information on the microclimate backedup against the southeast ridge and also corroborates the data from thefirst station.

[0041] Even in the limited area shown in FIG. 6, the farmer will find itmore convenient to use a weather information system 100 of the presentinvention rather than install a hard wired system because he can readilymove the weather stations around as desired and he can let someone elsetake care of the system. Also he can still access information from otherweather stations further away from his farm if needed. But generally, hewill ask for information only from weather stations 126 and 128 becausethey are most relevant to his situation. In contrast, a farmer in a moreopen area of the valley such as shown in FIG. 1, can use a more remotepreexisting station by contracting with the weather information system100 without having to have stations installed on his property.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, communication between a server system 188 andthe weather station 102 has six links: 1. a modem 142 or other networkconnects to an Internet service provider 146; 2. the service provideruses a hard wire connection to the Internet network 150; 3. the call isrouted through the Internet 150; 4. a second hard wire or fiber opticcable 152 carries the call to a common carrier wireless cellular digitalpacket data service (CDPD) 154 such as provided by General Telephone; 5.the CDPD service transfers the call by a third hard wire or fiber opticcable 156 to its antenna 158; and, 6. the CDPD service sends the call bya radio signal 160 to the antenna 107 of the weather station's digitalmodem 162. Upon receiving an access signal from the station accesssystem 140, the weather station computer 116 identifies the accesssignal and downloads a string of data from its memory 161 through adigital packet modem 162 in the reverse direction where it is recordedin a data base 164. A digital packet modem such as the Air Link RavenModel 9700 modem made by Air Link Communications of San Jose, Calif.,can be used.

[0043] When a farmer wants to use this information and the informationfrom the other relevant weather stations, he uses a user display meanssuch as his personal computer 170 to call the server system 188 over theInternet 150. The server system uses a compilation program to compilethe information requested by the farmer from the data base 164. Thisinformation is presented on the display 172 of the farmer at hispersonal computer 170. The farmer can also request new information fromthe weather station 102 at any time through the weather informationsystem 100. For example, during unusual situations such as possiblefreezing temperatures, the farmer can ask the system to reporttemperatures every few minutes. The farmer can cause the station accesssystem to update the data from the weather station of interest bysending the request for this real time information from his personalcomputer 170 to the station access system 140 through the Internet 150and the server system 188.

[0044] Farmers need to spend time in the field inspecting irrigationsystems, crop disease conditions, and soil conditions. They arereluctant to spend much of their time at a computer keyboard. Thereforein another embodiment, the system does the calculation and computer dataprocessing required allowing the farmer to spend his time in the fieldand on other farming operations. Before such data processing can beaccomplished, however, the farmer's crop and field configurations mustbe available to the server. This is accomplished by the farmer sendinghis field and sprinkler configurations to the user's records systems 187by using his computer 170, the Internet communication system, and theserver system 188, as described above. For example, the farmer sends thedata on his irrigation block including the crop type and the sprinklergallons per hour per tree or vine to his private table on the userrecords system 187 within the server system 188.

[0045]FIG. 7 illustrates a sample display of the type of data sentregarding the crop and field configurations for a particular farmer andis shown as actually seen by the farmer on his computer display 172(FIG. 4). The first column of the upper table shows the block name; thesecond the crop type; the third the crop constant; and the fourth theweather station nearest the block for which data is requested. Thebottom table allows the farmer to modify the configurations at hisdiscretion. For example, the bottom table is shown as accessing theinformation regarding the top crop line of the upper table with theentries being identical. Additional information is entered on the bottomline of the bottom table. Each vine (“tree”) requires 1 gallon per day.There are 450 vines (“trees”) per acre. The maximum moisture entry isused in conjunction with rainfall. In the current example, all rainfallwhich exceeds 150% of the average required water merely runs off and islost. It therefore is not effective and is not included in thecalculations. This algorithm is done by the server system and results inthe proper amount to be subtracted from the crop ET to provide theproper amount of water the block used per acre for that crop.

[0046] It is not necessary to apply an ideal amount of moisture eachday. The soil acts as a sponge retaining moisture from day to day.Typically, a farmer decides on Monday how much moisture he wants toapply to a field for the whole week. He then divides the number of totalhours by the number of days he wants to run the system. He can also varythe number of hours on any particular day. For example, he may decide torun the system one day, every other day, every day, or some othercombination of days. He can also decide to water the same number ofhours each watering day or more hours on one watering day and less onanother watering day. What is important is that over the week or otherperiod of watering, the plants receive just enough water to achieveoptimal growth without too much extra.

[0047]FIG. 8 is a sample display of the customized crop production andcontrol information provided in return to the farmer over the Internetfrom the server system for use in controlling his specific crops. Afterthe configuration data of FIG. 7 is downloaded to the user recordssystem 187, the algorithm calculation and data processing system withinthe server system calculates the hours of irrigation needed to replacethe water used by the crop during the previous period. The farmer in thesample is using a one week period. He decides exactly how he wants toirrigate his crops based on what happened the previous week. The mostimportant numbers are shown in the bottom two lines. For example, hisblock of Navel 3 orange trees received 1.2 inches of irrigation waterover the previous week and no rain. In order to apply the same amount ofwater over the week to come, he will have to operate his irrigationsystem in the Navel 3 block for a total of 89 hours. He can divide upthis 89 hours over the seven days in any manner that is convenient forhim. For example, he could apply the same amount of water each day bydividing by 7 for an average of about 13 hours a day.

[0048] In contrast, the number of hours required for the block Navel 5is 59 hours total and the number of hours for the block Navel 6 is 102hours. The differences are cause by the configurations of the irrigationsystems in the different blocks. Some apply more water per hour and someapply less. How much water a given irrigation system applies in aparticular block is entered into the calculation in another data tablefor the block that is not shown.

[0049] All of the other information on FIG. 8 is helpful to the farmerin allowing him to understand exactly what is happening but is notessential. The date of each line is given in the left column. The fourcomponents of ET are shown in the next four columns with ET shown in thesixth column. Generally, the weather was cooling off during the weekwith a corresponding decrease in the amount of irrigation waterrequired. The seventh column shows that there was not any rain. The lastthree columns show how much water should have been applied to each ofthe crop blocks for each day with the irrigation component given on theleft and the rain component given on the right. There has been no rainso all of the rain components are “0.” Therefore, looking down the Navel3 column only, on July 14, 0.19 inches of irrigation water were requiredby this particular crop on this day to replace the water used by thecrop. On July 15, 0.18 inches of irrigation water were required. For thewhole week, 1.2 inches of irrigation water were required (ETc, i.e., ETfor the particular crop). These numbers do not represent the amounts ofwater the farmer actually applied on those days. They are the idealamounts he should have applied given the weather conditions. The hoursneeded, i.e. 89 hours, to actually achieve this level of irrigation isgiven at the bottom and is calculated by the algorithm:hours=(ETc×27,160)÷[(trees/acre)×(gallons/tree/hour)] all minus theeffective rain.

[0050] This all means that a farmer can determine how many hours toirrigate each week (or other period) in order to replace the water usedby each block without having to make any complicated calculations. Heonly has to compare the amount of water applied each week with what wasused by the crop to determine if he is behind or ahead of what isneeded. Thus the farmer has an interactive relationship with the serversystem which accesses data from the relevant weather stations, creates adata base containing current and historical weather data, records thefarmer's irrigation blocks and crop configurations, combines these twosets of data, calculates the irrigation times and other crop productionparameters, and makes the results available to the farmer through theInternet.

[0051] Alternatively, the farmer can connect to the server system 188using a hand held computer 180 (FIG. 4) as a user display means having adigital radio frequency communication capability such as a Palm VIIcomputer sold by Palm Computing, Inc. of Santa Clara, Calif. A cellulardigital signal 182 from the hand held computer 180 travels to the handheld provider 181 and then through the Internet 150 to the server 188and data base 140. The Palm VII displays the resulting data in a limitedformat specifically directed to a particular field, crop, or condition.

[0052] The farmer can also call a special number through the localtelephone provider using either a telephone 183 or cellular telephonewhich connects to the voice and alarm systems 184. The keys on thetelephone are then used to dial code numbers which cause the voicesystem to compile the desired information using the data base 164 anddownload the information to the caller in audio format over thetelephone as an alternative user display means. A suitable synthesizedcomputer voice module is sold by Dial Logic of Parsippany, N.J. Theconnection to the audio output of the voice system 184 is particularlyhelpful for monitoring freezing conditions and controlling other cropproduction operations when the farmer is out in the field. For example,the access computer can keep track of the current weather conditions andthe amount of irrigation water applied up to the query time and thentell the caller how much time remains for the valves to stay open tocomplete the irrigation needed.

[0053] When information on only a particular event is required, a pager186 can be used as another alternate user display means. Prior to goingout into the field, the farmer can use his computer 170 or telephone 183to tell the access computer to send a signal to his pager 186 when aparticular event occurs. For example, the access computer could bedirected to send a signal to a pager only when a freezing temperaturehas been reached. Or real time temperatures can be continuouslydisplayed on the display screen of the pager identifying the value ofthe variable as well as previous values.

[0054]FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating the steps in a method of usinga cellular weather station and computer system using the public cellulardata telephone system and Internet for controlling irrigation. Acellular weather station is provided in step 200 having a data to radiofrequency conversion system, a sensor, a computer having a memory and acollection program, and a battery and solar panel for providing theelectrical power requirements for the cellular weather station. A publiccellular telephone system is provided in step 202 and the cellularweather station is placed in step 204 in an area served by the publiccellular telephone system. The collection program is used to collect instep 206 weather information data from the sensor and compile it into aweather data string and store the string in the memory. A server systemis provided in step 208 having a data base and a compilation program. AnInternet network is provided in step 210 and the public cellulartelephone system and the server system are coupled in step 212 to it.The cellular weather station periodically sends in step 214 the weatherdata string by means of the data to radio frequency conversion systemand the public cellular telephone system through the Internet network tothe data base. A personal computer is provided in step 216 having adisplay. The personal computer is coupled in step 218 to the Internetnetwork. The personal computer is used in step 220 to provide a user'sirrigation block configurations to the server system through theInternet network. The user's irrigation block configurations are enteredin step 222 including the irrigation block name, the crop type, the cropconstant, and the weather station nearest the irrigation block. Theserver system combines in step 224 the user's irrigation blockconfigurations with the weather information in the data base to createirrigation control information and displays the irrigation controlinformation on the personal computer display means. The step ofcombining the user's crop and field configurations with the weatherinformation to create irrigation control information includescomputation in step 226 of the number of hours of irrigation time. Thenumber of hours of irrigation time is computed in step 228 using thealgorithm: hours=(ETc×27,160)÷[(trees/acre)×(gallons/tree/hour)] allminus effective rain. See FIG. 12.

[0055]FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating the steps in another methodfor obtaining weather data from the cellular weather station. The serversystem is provided in step 230 with a station access system. The stationaccess system periodically calls in step 232 the portable cellularweather station through the Internet network and public cellulartelephone network. The cellular weather station sends in step 234 theweather data string in response to the call.

[0056]FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating the steps in yet anothermethod for obtaining weather data from the cellular weather station. Thedisplay means of the personal computer is provided with a means to queryin step 236. The means to query calls in step 238 the server system. Theserver system calls in step 240 the cellular weather station. Thecellular weather station sends in step 242 the weather information tothe display means. And the display means displays in step 244 theweather information.

[0057]FIG. 13 shows the addition of sensors to a weather station 302similar to weather station 102 shown in FIG. 5. The weather stationcomputer 316 has the capability of monitoring more than just weathersensors. For example, it can process signals from a soil moisture sensor395 and from stationary equipment sensors 396 and store the data stringsin a computer memory 316 and then transmit them to the user through acellular digital modem 305 and the Internet in the same manner as in theembodiment shown in FIGS. 4-8.

[0058] Farming is usually a low margin business. Farm employees areexpected to use their time efficiently. Efficient farms usually makesignificant capitol investments in equipment designed to keep theirlabor and equipment maintenance costs as low as possible. If expensiveequipment breaks down unexpectedly, overall efficiency is negativelyaffected. Therefore, preventative maintenance and careful monitoring ofequipment is important.

[0059] The additional sensors added to weather station 302 provide anopportunity for the user to monitor the performance of certain pieces ofstationary equipment. Examples are water pumps, electrical generators,water chillers, ground water purifiers, soil moisture measurementequipment, equipment for eliminating scale in water applications, andpackinghouse storage facilities. In addition, the system can provideweather information so that maintenance plans can be scheduled inaccordance with weather considerations.

[0060] Although irrigation can be scheduled using ET and hours needed asshown in FIG. 8. The farmer also needs to confirm that water wasactually applied when and in the amounts scheduled. The farmeraccomplishes this by making manual soil moisture measurements thatrequire expensive visits to the field. If the soil moisture can bemeasured and reported to the farmer over the Internet and displayed onhis computer's display device, this will confirm that the proper amountof water was provided at the proper time.

[0061]FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 4 showing a system for providingequipment information as well as weather information over the Internet,generally designated as 300. The weather station 302 has the additionalfunction of a data logger for receiving signals from stationaryequipment such as an oxidizer 392 and diesel engine water pump 393. Thesoil moisture sensor 395 is coupled to the station data logger 394.There are many circumstances where electrical power is not a practicalmeans for running water pumps. Portable diesel powered pumps are oftenused in these cases. Growers and other users carefully monitor theperformance of these machines by manually observing the pump'sinstruments. This again is an expensive and labor consuming process.Signals from redundant sensors 389 that can be attached to the pump 393and processed by the station data logger 394 are displayed on the user'scomputer display 372. The pump's reliable performance can, therefore, bedetermined remotely without the need for expensive visits to the site.

[0062] A further application would be for catalytic oxidizers that areused to reduce hydrocarbon contaminants in ground water withoutcontaminating the air. Signals from redundant sensors 390 attached tothe oxidizer machine 390, are processed by the station data logger 394and sent to the user's computer display so that the equipment'sperformance within specifications can be determined by the user as wellas regulatory agencies.

[0063] The communication process for equipment in FIG. 14 is essentiallythe same as for the weather data system described for FIG. 4 and isadopted by reference. There are a few different functions required toprocess the additional data from the new sensors. In FIG. 4, the usersent his irrigation block configurations to his private table on theuser records system 387. The data was formatted in a standard formatshown in FIG. 8. With the addition of new sensors, the data format mayno longer be of a standard configuration. An addition to the new systemallows the user to choose his own configuration from a number ofpotential configurations and store his choice in the user records 387within the database system 364. Data collected from all the sensors isstored in the station data logger's memory 361 and sent periodicallythrough the various communication links to the database 364 in themanner described in FIG. 4. When the user requests data through hiscomputer 370, the server system 388 uses the algorithm calculation andformat configuration processing system 344 to combine the user's formatconfiguration with the data from the database 364 to send the requesteddata in the requested format through the Internet network 350 to theuser's computer 370 and computer display device 372 in the mannerdescribed in FIG. 4.

[0064]FIG. 15 illustrates how four equipment performance variables canbe displayed on a computer display system providing the farmer or anyother user an opportunity to monitor the performance of remote equipmentso that maintenance can be done prior to equipment breakdown therebyavoiding expense repairs. FIG. 15 is similar to FIG. 8 but fourirrigation related columns in FIG. 8 have been replaced by equipmentperformance variables in FIG. 15. The sixth column titled “BLOCK TEMP”shows the average block temperature of a diesel engine for each day. Ifthe temperatures become too low or high, maintenance is suggested. Thesetemperatures can also be displayed more often such as every half hour.The two bottom rows of data show the maximum and minimum values duringthe period for each variable.

[0065] The column marked “OXID TEMP” illustrates how an oxidizer machineis performing in relation to EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)specifications for this class of equipment. In this illustration,temperature readings below 600 degrees could cause the local air tobecome contaminated by hydrocarbon gases that were not properly oxidizedby the machine. Note that this limit was violated for the dates Jul. 19,2001 and Jul. 20, 2001. This would require the user to go to the siteand perform maintenance. The temperature on Jul. 17, 2001 could haveprovided a warning that the temperature was approaching the limit.

[0066] The column marked “SOIL MOIST” illustrates how a user could keeptrack of his irrigation schedule. Note the soil was irrigated on Jul.19, 2001 as determined by the soil moisture tensiometer readings goingfrom the dry 36 centibars to a wet 16 during that day. The last columnshows the gallons per hour flow rate for a water well pump.

[0067]FIG. 16 is a flow chart that shows the flow of data through theInternet system and other communication links of FIG. 14. At the top andleft side of the figure, the flow of data from the sensors and stationdata logging system is shown proceeding through the communication linksto the database. The right side shows the request from the user for thedata that is returned to his computer display.

[0068]FIG. 17 is a flow chart that shows how the user selects hisdesired data format configuration using the system of FIG. 14 and sendsit to the user records table within the database system. The middle andright side show the flow from the user's request for data, formatted tohis selected requirements, to the server and database that returns thedata and displays it in his selected format configuration.

[0069] The preferred embodiments of the invention described herein areexemplary and numerous modifications, dimensional variations, andrearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve an equivalentresult, all of which are intended to be embraced within the scope of theappended claims.

We claim:
 1. A method for controlling irrigation, comprising: providingat least one cellular weather station having: a data to radio frequencyconversion system; at least one sensor; and, a computer having a memoryand a collection program; providing a public cellular telephone system;placing said at least one cellular weather station in an area served bysaid public cellular telephone system; using said collection program tocollect weather information data from said at least one sensor andcompiling said weather information data into at least one weather datastring and storing said at least one weather data string in said memory;providing a server system having a data base and a compilation program;providing an Internet network; coupling said public cellular telephonesystem and said server system to said Internet network; said at leastone cellular weather station periodically sending said at least oneweather data string by means of said data to radio frequency conversionsystem and said public cellular telephone system through said Internetnetwork to said data base; providing a personal computer having adisplay means; coupling said personal computer to said Internet network;using said personal computer to provide a user's irrigation blockconfigurations to said server system through said Internet network; and,said server system combining said user's irrigation block configurationswith said weather information in said data base to create irrigationcontrol information and displaying said irrigation control informationon said personal computer display means.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein said step of providing said user's irrigation blockconfigurations includes the steps of entering the irrigation block name,the crop type, the crop constant, and the weather station nearest theirrigation block.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said step ofcombining said user's irrigation block configurations with said weatherinformation to create irrigation control information includescomputation of the number of hours of irrigation time.
 4. The method ofclaim 3, wherein said number of hours of irrigation time issubstantially computed using the algorithm:hours=(ETc×27,160)÷[(trees/acre)×(gallons/tree/hour)] all minuseffective rain.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of providinga personal computer having a display means includes said display meanshaving a means to query said server system to call said at least onecellular weather station for weather information and displaying theweather information, further including: said means to query calling saidserver system; said server system calling said at least one cellularweather station; and, said at least one cellular weather station sendingsaid weather information; and, said display means displaying saidweather information.
 6. The method of claim 1, said step of providing atleast one cellular weather station further including a battery and solarpanel for providing the electrical power requirements for said at leastone cellular weather station.
 7. The method of claim 1, furtherincluding: said step of providing a server system having a stationaccess system: said station access system periodically calling saidportable cellular weather station through said Internet network andpublic cellular telephone network; and, said at least one cellularweather station sending said at least one weather data string inresponse to said call.
 8. A cellular weather station and computer systemusing the public cellular telephone system and the Internet network forcontrolling irrigation, comprising: at least one cellular weatherstation having: a data to radio frequency conversion system; at leastone sensor; and, a computer having a memory and a collection program forcollecting weather information data from said at least one sensor andcompiling said weather information data into at least one weather datastring and storing said at least one weather data string in said memory;a public cellular telephone system; a server system having a data baseand a compilation program; an Internet network coupled to said serversystem and said public cellular telephone system; said at least onecellular weather station for periodically sending said at least oneweather data string by means of said data to radio frequency conversionsystem and said public cellar telephone system through said Internetnetwork to said data base; a personal computer having a display meansand coupled to said Internet network for entering a user's irrigationblock configurations in said server system through said Internetnetwork; and, said server system for combining said user's irrigationblock configurations with said weather information in said data base tocreate irrigation control information and displaying said irrigationcontrol information on said personal computer display means.
 9. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein said display means for entering a user'sirrigation block configurations includes a means for entering theirrigation block name, the crop type, the crop constant, and the weatherstation nearest the irrigation block.
 10. The system of claim 9, whereinsaid combining said user's irrigation block configurations with saidweather information to create irrigation control information includescomputation of the number of hours of irrigation time.
 11. The system ofclaim 10, wherein said irrigation time is substantially the number ofhours computed using the algorithm:hours=(ETc×27,160)÷[(trees/acre)×(gallons/tree/hour)] all minuseffective rain.
 12. The system of claim 8, wherein said personalcomputer display means has a means to query said server system to callsaid at least one cellular weather station for weather information anddisplaying the weather information.
 13. The system of claim 8, said atleast one cellular weather system further including a battery and solarpanel for providing the electrical power requirements for said at leastone cellular weather station.
 14. The system of claim 8, furtherincluding said server system having a station access system forperiodically calling said portable cellular weather station through saidInternet network and public cellular telephone network and said at leastone cellular weather station sending said at least one weather datastring in response to said call.
 15. A method for monitoring equipment,comprising: providing at least one cellular equipment monitoring andweather station having: a data to radio frequency conversion system; atleast one equipment sensor; and, a computer having a memory and acollection program; providing a public cellular telephone system;placing said at least one cellular weather station in an area served bysaid public cellular telephone system; using said collection program tocollect equipment information data from said at least one equipmentsensor and compiling said equipment information data into at least oneequipment data string and storing said at least one equipment datastring in said memory; providing a server system having a data base anda compilation program; providing an Internet network; coupling saidpublic cellular telephone system and said server system to said Internetnetwork; said at least one cellular weather station periodically sendingsaid at least one equipment data string by means of said data to radiofrequency conversion system and said public cellular telephone systemthrough said Internet network to said data base; providing a personalcomputer having a display means; coupling said personal computer to saidInternet network; using said personal computer to provide a user'sequipment configurations to said server system through said Internetnetwork; and, said server system combining said user's equipmentconfigurations with said equipment information in said data base tocreate equipment control information and displaying said equipmentcontrol information on said personal computer display means.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, wherein said step of providing a personal computerhaving a display means includes said display means having a means toquery said server system to call said at least one cellular equipmentmonitoring and weather station for equipment information and displayingthe equipment information, further including: said means to querycalling said server system; said server system calling said at least onecellular equipment monitoring and weather station; and, said at leastone cellular equipment monitoring and weather station sending saidequipment information; and, said display means displaying said equipmentinformation.
 17. The method of claim 15, further including: said step ofproviding a server system having a station access system: said stationaccess system periodically calling said portable cellular equipmentmonitoring and weather station through said Internet network and publiccellular telephone network; and, said at least one cellular equipmentmonitoring and weather station sending said at least one equipmentinformation data string in response to said call.
 18. A cellularequipment monitoring and weather station and computer system using thepublic cellular telephone system and the Internet network forcontrolling irrigation, comprising: at least one cellular equipmentmonitoring and weather station having: a data to radio frequencyconversion system; at least one equipment sensor; and, a computer havinga memory and a collection program for collecting equipment informationdata from said at least one sensor and compiling said equipmentinformation data into at least one equipment information data string andstoring said at least one equipment information data string in saidmemory; a public cellular telephone system; a server system having adata base and a compilation program; an Internet network coupled to saidserver system and said public cellular telephone system; said at leastone cellular weather station for periodically sending said at least oneequipment information data string by means of said data to radiofrequency conversion system and said public cellar telephone systemthrough said Internet network to said data base; a personal computerhaving a display means and coupled to said Internet network for enteringa user's equipment configurations in said server system through saidInternet network; and, said server system for combining said user'sequipment configurations with said equipment information in said database to create equipment control information and displaying saidequipment control information on said personal computer display means.19. The system of claim 18, wherein said personal computer display meanshas a means to query said server system to call said at least onecellular equipment monitoring and weather station for equipmentinformation and displaying the equipment information.
 20. The system ofclaim 18, further including said server system having a station accesssystem for periodically calling said portable cellular equipmentmonitoring and weather station through said Internet network and publiccellular telephone network and said at least one cellular equipmentmonitoring and weather station sending said at least one equipmentinformation data string in response to said call.